Prevalence and risk factors of erosive tooth wear among young adults in the Singapore military.

OBJECTIVES: Erosive tooth wear (ETW) is defined as the irreversible chemo-mechanical loss of dental hard tissues without plaque or bacteria and has been a growing phenomenon in the general population worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ETW and the associated risk factors among young military personnel in Singapore. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of a questionnaire and clinical examination of military personnel between 18 and 25 years. The questionnaire collected information on demographics, medical and dental history, lifestyle and dietary habits. Tooth wear was clinically evaluated using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index. The participants were profiled into four risk categories (none, low, moderate, severe) based on the sum score. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors associated with the presence of ETW. RESULTS: Out of 1296 participants evaluated, 21.8% of them had ETW. The anterior sextants were more affected by erosion than posterior sextants for both arches. The risk factors significantly associated with ETW were GERD (OR = 2.83, p = 0.041), presence of self-reported TMD symptoms (OR = 2.51, p < 0.001), acidic food (OR = 2.03, p < 0.001) and drinks (OR = 3.07, p < 0.001), high caries risk (OR = 4.59, p < 0.001) and toothbrush stiffness (OR = 4.67, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: ETW is prevalent among the young military population, with over half of the population at a risk of ETW. Gastric reflux disease, TMD, acidic diet, dental caries susceptibility and the use of stiff toothbrushes were identified as significant risk factors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A large proportion of young military personnel exhibited mild to moderate risk of ETW. Dental professionals can identify risk-susceptible individuals at a young age and educated them with preventive measures and dietary interventions to prevent the progression of the condition.

Impact of Sleep Bruxism on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of possible tooth grinding (TG) and possible sleep bruxism (SB) and to examine their impacts on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among Asian adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3,072 subjects (18 to 65 years of age) from 12 dental centers were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire on TG/SB and OHRQoL, and 2,417 were included in the study. Participants were subsequently categorized into three groups (no TG/SB, possible TG, and possible SB) based on the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. The 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) severity, extent, and prevalence scores were subsequently computed and compared. Data were examined using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, Spearman correlation, and univariate regression analysis (P < .05). RESULTS: Of the 2,417 subjects (mean age 24.79 ± 7.49 years), 42.82% reported either possible TG (n = 921; 38.11%) or possible SB (n = 114; 4.72%). Significant differences in global and domain OHIP-14 scores were found between the groups, except for the extent scores in functional limitation and physical disability. Mean global severity scores of the possible SB group (9.36 ± 9.45) were 1.5- and 2.2-fold larger than the possible TG (6.39 ± 7.61) and no TG/SB (4.22 ± 6.15) groups, respectively. A significant but weak correlation (r = 0.14 to 0.19) was found between the number of positive responses for TG/SB and OHIP-14 severity scores. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of possible TG and SB was found among the Asian cohort studied. Possible TG and SB were significantly associated with poorer OHRQoL. The physical pain, psychologic discomfort, and psychologic disability domains were most influenced by TG/SB. More epidemiologic studies on the functional, physical, and psychosocial influences of SB are required.

Associations between symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, quality of life and psychological states in Asian Military Personnel.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) could affect oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and psychological distress. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the prevalence of TMD symptoms, and impact of type and number of TMD symptoms on OHRQoL and psychological states among Asian military personnel. METHOD: The study was conducted across 12 military dental centres using self-administered questionnaire comprising demographical data, DC/TMD symptom questionnaire, OHIP-14 and DASS-21. A total of 3028 personnel, aged between 18-65 years old, were invited to participate with an acceptance rate of 90.5%. Data analysis was done using non-parametric tests, regression analysis and Spearman correlation (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Out of 2043 subjects (1998 males; 45 females, mean age 24.18 ± 7.18 years), 36.32% (n = 742) reported at least one TMD symptom. Significant differences in summary OHIP-14, depression, anxiety and stress scores were observed between subjects with and without TMD symptoms. Significant differences in OHIP-14 and DASS-21 scores were observed between dissimilar type and number of TMD symptoms in the TMD group. Those with headaches and 2-3 symptoms have substantially poorer OHRQoL and greater psychological distress. Associations between number of TMD symptoms, quality of life, depression, anxiety and stress were significant but weak (r = 0.19-0.40). CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders were prevalent among Asian military population. Significant differences in OHRQoL and psychological states were observed between subjects with and without TMD symptoms. Specific type and number of TMD symptoms impacted OHRQoL and psychological states differently. Associations between number of TMD symptoms and quality of life, depression, anxiety and stress were significant but weak.